Answering the Charge of “What's Plan B” for Tax Cut Deal  —  So, Steve Benen poses a serious question, and I'd like to give an answer.  Maybe it's a moot point with the deal going down in flames, but nevertheless. … Certainly, there are those on the Hill who think “fight harder” …

Dominoes  —  There was something strange to me about the GOP reaction yesterday to the tax cut news.  Or at least something unexpected.  I hadn't made clear sense of it until I got this news late last night, but all day yesterday I couldn't shake the feeling that the whole didn't add up.

Four Ways To Make The Tax Deal Better.  —  Tax deal apologist that I am, it behooves me to offer some constructive criticism, too, along with a reminder that this deal isn't final until the legislative process makes it so: Congressional Democrats, unable to unify around an original proposal, may try and adapt this framework.

White House says Democrats partly to blame for tax-cut deal with GOP  —  The White House said Wednesday that Capitol Hill Democrats are partly to blame for the tax-cut deal they have criticized the president for negotiating.  —  The tax-cut package has been scorned by Democrats livid …

Lieberman To Reid On DADT: Back Off, I Got This  —  Senate Democrats are on the precipice of getting a Don't Ask, Don't Tell repeal past a key procedural hurdle tonight.  But key negotiators have grown frustrated by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and his staff for upping the pressure at a fragile moment …

Lisa Murkowski supports repeal of DADT  —  GOP Senator Lisa Murkowski has decided to support repeal of don't ask don't tell, her spokesman tells me, potentially adding another crucial GOP vote to the Yes column and putting 60 votes within reach.  —  “Her vote will depend on how free and open …

COLLINS POSITIONED TO KILL DADT REPEAL.... We talked earlier Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's (D-Nev.) surprise move this morning: he's getting started tonight on the defense authorization act, which includes a provision on repealing “Don't Ask, Don't Tell.”

Ridiculous: ADN asks whether Palin actually knows how to use a gun  —  H/T: Patrick's World who has a great blog post up.  —  Apparently the Anchorage Daily News is concerned about whether Palin can actually utilize a rifle.  There has to be some sort of weekly contest among the media …

Pass the Caribou Stew  —  The doomed caribou gazed calmly across the Alaska tundra at Caribou Barbie.  —  The female caribou could easily have escaped, since it took the Wasilla huntress six shots, two rifles and some help from her dad to bag her prey.  (Giving credence to Levi Johnston's contention …